A wounded soldier’s trip home from the battlefield may be the easiest part of his or her life after combat. No one knows that better than Ryan Kelly, who lost part of his right leg to a roadside bomb in Iraq.
During rehabilitation, he observed fellow soldiers and their families struggling with physical and economic challenges. That’s when he and his family came up with an idea to create a new insurance program.
In April 2005, Kelly and two wounded comrades–Jeremy Feldbush and Heath Calhoun–lobbied for the plan in Washington as representatives of the Wounded Warrior Project(WWP). Now, the new law provides insurance payments to help wounded soldiers and their families while they anticipate veterans’ benefits.
Today, Kelly helps fellow veterans build confidence as head of WWP Alumni, which offers long-term support beyond a veteran’s hospitalization. “I still have a strong need to serve, and this has been a great way for me to do that,” Kelly said.
The Hartford’s $250,000 grant to WWP will help create an annual Leadership Summit, which will help disabled veterans and their families achieve their financial goals and become leaders in their communities.
Through The Hartford’s group benefits product line and its “ability philosophy,” the company has long embraced providing the best care, training and opportunities to people who become disabled. The Hartford serves as a founding sponsor of the U.S. Paralympics team, contributes to educational initiatives throughout the United States, and reaches hundreds of thousands of college students through its financial literacy curriculum, the Playbook for Life.
Each of our philanthropic investments is bolstered by the personal commitment of thousands of employee volunteers, who dedicate their time and expertise to help others in more than 40 communities worldwide.
More information on our corporate social responsibility can be found at www.thehartford.com.